WADSA Management Committee

Priya Cooper OAM

Priya has represented Australia at 3 Paralympic Games winning a total of 9 Gold, 4 Bronze and 3 Silver medals. After winning the most medals of any Australian athlete at the 1992 Games Priya was chosen to carry the flag at the closing ceremony. After arriving home she was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal from the Queen.

Backing up from her first Games in Barcelona in 1992 Priya was selected as the captain of the Australian team in 1996 and again carried the flag at the closing ceremony. In her third and last Games Priya was again chosen by her peers to Captain the team at the Sydney 2000 Games. Priya has completed a degree in Health Promotion and Journalism at Curtin University and runs her own business Success is a Choice Global with her husband Rod.

Priya is now President of WADSA and believes that all people with a disability deserve to live a fulfilling life. With the dedicated team of skilled professionals at WADSA her expertise and experience is driven towards making this happen.

Edward Pawlak FIPA, CTA

Edward Pawlak is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants, a Chartered Tax Advisor, a Registered Tax Agent, and also holds a Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has been in public practice since 1987 and has been operating his own practice since 1997. His clients are engaged in many and varied industries and a large portion of his services are directed to small and micro business and include compliance accounting and taxation tasks and analysis. Edward’s skills include accounting and taxation as well as business modelling and analysis. He also offers strategic and operational advice for the betterment of client businesses. Edward became involved with WADSA in 1994 to oversee and assist in a major financial overhaul of the organisation. Impressed with the activities that WADSA offers people with disabilities and the passion and commitment displayed by those involved, he accepted an invitation to become the organisation’s Treasurer and has remained so since 1996. Edward is involved in all aspects of the WADSA Board but particularly focusses on the financial accountability, transparency and overall financial sustainability and is always available to provide advice and guidance on these issues.

John Otago

John Otago commenced his career in the construction industry and later on worked in the film industry, afterwards with his wife Jacqui they ran their own business, JVO Productions specialising in video productions for the health and disability sector. John was a member of TADWA for over 20 years and was also employed as the Customised Aids and Equipment manager for TADWA. John has a long standing interest in assistive technology that improves the quality and enjoyment of life. He is married with a lovely wife and three lovely children.

Ted Anderson

Ted Anderson became a member of the WA Disabled Water Ski Club in 1988 and went on to compete in National and International Ski Competitions. Ted is now President of the WA Disabled Water Ski Club. Ted is also the Beach Marshall and Safety Officer. Ted attends water skiing for the Schools Programs and club skiing on the weekends. Ted helped with the building of the jetty, the layout of the slalom course and with the modification of the water ski jump for use by the Disabled Club. Ted has been a Member of Lions International for the last ten years and is currently with the Lions Club of Booragoon in which Ted has been involved in many community projects. Ted also helped at a Mentors Camp for Families with children with disabilities run by Lions.